Dark days for blackmarketers

He stands across the fence of what has been his second home for the last 30 years. Sixty-two year old Raju Jadhav, the black market movie ticket seller at Metro theatre, knows that the Aamir Khan who did the famous ‘dus ka bees, dus ka bees do’ in Rangeela is moving into the shadows of the tall multiplexes. 

The ‘Bambaiya’ black marketer, a smart lafanga, darting across theatre premises, cracking jokes with his gang, making deals with customers quickly and efficiently, appears lost in the struggle for survival. 

Standing at the newly built Metro Adlabs, shirt unbuttoned, Jadhav still hopes to make a quick 50 bucks like he used to a few years back, but is disappointed.

“The movie tickets are now sold for over Rs200 at the counter. There is a slim chance of being able to make any money.

Also, the security for the multiplex has been beefed up,” says Jadhav, who survives doing odd jobs for catering companies. “Hum khatam ho chuke hain,” says Lily Paul, who with his five brothers, has been part of the black marketing world since childhood.

Lily’s brother Johny felt that the only other option they had was getting a job in the newly renovated Metro theatre itself.

“We wrote a letter to the authorities asking them to give us jobs like sweeping, cleaning and maintenance of toilets but there was no response from them.”

Says Naushad Hussain, manager of Roxy theatre, “Movies don’t open in that big blockbuster way at single screen theatres anymore. These theatres don’t get house-full often, and along with increased security, the chances of the black marketer making a profit are bleak.”

According to Ayub Khan, who’s been running the Jai Jawaan teastall opposite Sterling for the last 20 years, entire families are involved in the business.

“Most black marketeers blow up cash quickly. They will never want to move on even if they are given the chance.”  Jadhav wants to start his life afresh but he thinks it’s too late. “Main yahin theek hoon,” he says.